Less than 48 hours after the board placed Carmel Clay's superintendent on leave, the district announced its human resources director is also part of the "thorough review" of leadership.

Nicholas Wahl was put on a paid leave during Monday's board meeting. HR director Corrine Middleton's paid leave was announced Wednesday morning in an email from the district's spokeswoman Courtney Taylor.

Middleton and Wahl did not respond to email requests for comment Wednesday. It's unclear how much Middleton is paid because the district has not responded to IndyStar's request for her public contract.

Neither announcement included much explanation from the district or school board. When Wahl was put on leave, board President Layla Spanenberg said it would allow them to conduct the review "in a manner that respects the confidentiality of its employees' personal matters."

Multiple sources who asked to speak under anonymity for fear of retribution told IndyStar that Wahl, 52, and Middleton, 48, were involved in a romantic relationship.

Both filed for divorce this year. Wahl filed in Boone County in May. Middleton filed in Hamilton County on Aug. 28. Both cases are pending.

Neither Spanenberg nor the district's legal counsel responded Wednesday to the IndyStar's request to discuss whether the relationship was against policy or was the reason they were placed on leave.

Board policy doesn't directly address this kind of relationship but states that married or cohabiting couples are not permitted to have direct authority over one another. One would be transferred, according to policy. At Carmel Schools, the HR director reports directly to the superintendent.

The policy also states the district would not hire the spouse or cohabiting significant other of the superintendent.

Wahl's contract lists "immorality" as one of four grounds for potential termination. In the contract, it's defined as "conduct objectively and materially offensive to the moral standards of the CCS community." The other three include failure to maintain a valid superintendent's license, "unexcused and pervasive failure" to perform duties or any other cause for termination under Indiana law.

Middleton was hired after Wahl, according to her LinkedIn page, becoming the district's assistant director of human resources in September 2015. She was promoted to director in July 2016.

Wahl was hired in 2013. His contract expires July 20, 2018, but will automatically renew unless he is otherwise notified by the board.

His annual salary is $195,000, and the board can award him up to $23,400 in additional "incentive compensation" each year, according to his contract. The district also provides free gas and a "vehicle allowance" of $700 per month.

Carmel’s board policy lists administrative leave with pay as one option under “progressive discipline,” or discipline that aims to use the least severe punishment necessary. Other "progressive discipline" options include verbal counseling, written warning, probation, suspension without pay or ending a contract.

According to the policy, administrative leave is not a response to harassment, theft or threats of violence. Those are listed under immediate suspension or dismissal.

Previously, Wahl was superintendent of two districts in Illinois: Hinsdale Township High School District 86 and Community Unit School District 201. Wahl, 52, graduated from Indiana University.